Tube closure



E. P. GIRARD May 29, 1962 TUBE CLOSURE Filed Jan. 6, 1959 Elm; F. GIRARD INVENTOR FNMA/L Afis United States Patent Ofitice 3,036,747 TUBE CLGSURE Edmond Paul Girard, Rue-de-IAubepine, Geneva, Switzerland Filed Jan. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 785,293 Claims priority, application Switzerland Jan. 9, 1958 3 Claims. (Cl. 222-507) The invention described below concerns a tube closure, which is characterized in that the lid closing the mouth of the tube is in the shape of a stirrup and is connected by an articulation to a cap nut screwed onto the tube, so that to open the tube the closing stirrup may be swung sidewise outwardly or inwardly after slightly unscrewing the cap nut, means being provided which cause the closing stirrup to swing automatically outwardly and inwardly owing to the rotation of the cap nut.

Three embodiments of the invention are drawn on the accompanying sheet of drawings. The FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 belong to the same example. In all the figures the same ciphers indicate the same parts. FIGURE 1 shows a cross-sectional front view of the tube closure. FIGURE 2 is a side view of the same tube closure also shown in cross-section. FIGURE 3 shows a side view with the closing stirrup swung out sideways, whilst FIG- URE 4 shows a plan view of FIGURE 3 but without the closing stirrup. In FIGURES 5 and 6 may be seen the closing stirrup, FIGURE 5 showing the cross-section along AA in FIGURE 6. FIGURE 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the closing stirrup may be sunk in the cap nut. FIGURE 8 is the plan view belonging to FIGURE 7. FIGURE 9 shows an embodiment with a hemispherical mouth.

In all the figures, 1 indicates the tube, 2 the thread on the tube and 3 a tubular mouthpiece provided with a milling 4. The mouthpiece 3 is a reduced extension of the tube neck, and these pieces are preferably cast together by injection moulding. 5 indicates a cap nut screwed onto the thread of the tube. In addition in FIGURES 1 and 4 may be seen pins 6. 7 indicates the boring of the tube mouthpiece. 8 indicates the closing stirrup which can swing freely on the pins 6 by means of the stamped out bearings 9. 10 indicates the milling on the cap nut. The closing stirrup 8 is provided with the lid-shaped part 12 which serves to hold a sealing disk 13 which may for instance be made of cork. One branch of the closing stirrup *8 is provided in addition with a stamped milling 14 which corresponds with the milling 4 on the mouthpiece 3, so that the two millings may engage with one another. The other branch of the closing stirrup 8 is provided with a small projection 18. The ciphers 16 and 17 in FIGURE 4 indicate two ridges in the opening provided in the cap nut, they serve as stops for the closing stirrup. In FIGURE 8, 11 indicates a recess in the cap nut which is destined to lodge the closing stirrup.

The closure functions in the following manner:

The closing stirrup is mounted in such a manner that it can move easily on the pins 6 of the cap nut. Before mounting, however, the two branches are slightly pressed towards one another, so that they press slightly against the mouthpiece 3. The branch provided with the milling 14 rests against the milling 4 on the mouthpiece, whilst the other branch also rests against the mouthpiece 3 by means of the projection 18 in order to take up the reaction. Let us suppose that the tube is closed as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. In order to open the tube, the cap nut is unscrewed as in an ordinary tube, that is the left way round, which causes the lid-shaped part of the closing stirrup to be lifted from the mouthpiece. The stamped-in milling 14 on the one branch of the closing stirrup '8 would tend to roll on the milling 4 on the Patented May 29, 19%2 mouthpiece 3, but as long as the closing stirrup is not free it cannot swing out sideways and the two millings slide over one another, owing to the fact that there is only a small force pressing them one on the other. As soon as the stirrup is sufliciently free it swings round on the pins 6 in the direction of the arrow 15 FIGURE 2 and is brought to the position shown in FIGURE 3, the ridge 17 in the cap nut serving as a stop to limit this motion.

When the tube is closed the cap nut is screwed around towards the right, which causes the closing stirrup to swing back until it is stopped by the ridge 16 FIGURE 4, this position corresponding to the closed position, and when the nut is tightened further the lid-shaped part of the stirrup is pressed tight onto the mouthpiece.

In the case of FIGURES 7 and 8, the closing stirrup is drawn down into the cap nut.

In the embodiment according to FIGURE 9, the mouthpiece and the closing stirrup are of hemispherical shape. The principle is however the same as described above.

The millings should be replaced by a friction layer, for instance by a layer of rubber.

The milling need not be carried directly by the stirrup and the mouthpiece, it could also be provided on an intermediate part. For instance, it could be provided on a split sleeve slipped onto the mouthpiece and held in place against the latter by its own elasticity. In this case the milling could be replaced by proper teeth, which could remain constantly in engagement owing to the fact that when the cap nut is rotated further after the closing stirrup has reached the end stop the sleeve is able to turn on the mouthpiece.

All the parts can be made of metal or of some artificial material.

What I claim is:

1. A tube closure for a tube comprising a threaded tube neck, a cap threaded upon said neck having an aperture in its end wall, a reduced extension of said neck forming a mouthpiece extending outwardly through said aperture, 21 stirrup for closing said mouthpiece having legs also extending outwardly through said aperture, means on the outside of said stirrup legs pivotally mounting the stirrup on the inside of the side wall of said cap for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of said tube, a friction layer on the outer surface of said mouthpiece, a friction layer on the inside surface of said stirrup, in juxtaposed relation to said friction layer on said mouthpiece, and means for maintaining said friction layers in contact in such a manner that the layers can slide over each other when the stirrup is tightly seated on the end of said mouthpiece and engage each other for rolling contact when said cap is unscrewed freeing said stirrup from the end of said mouthpiece thereby rotating the stirrup in its mounting into an outward position exposing the end of the mouthpiece.

2. A tube closure according to claim 1, wherein end stops are provided on said cap limiting the outward and inward swinging motion of the stirrup.

3. A tube closure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said friction layers are milled surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 354,106 Dorwart Dec. 14, 1886 1,806,364 Newman May 19, 1931 1,867,182 Sicault July 12, 1932 1,882,180 Davidson et al. Oct. 11, 1932 2,186,879 Osterholm Jan. 9, 1940 2,197,082 Rue Apr. 16, 1940 

